Blog by London Fashion Illustrator Elyse Blackshaw
When I think about how to describe myself as an artist, the words that immediately come to mind are experimental, colourful, playful, and glam.
I primarily identify as a fashion illustrator, but I am also an image maker—a term that encompasses the full spectrum of visual creation. For me, images can take many forms: 2D or 3D, figurative or abstract.
My artwork is eclectic, drawing from a rich array of influences. With a background rooted in embroidery and mixed-media textiles, my work often features layers of color, texture, and pattern. I use fluid lines of varying thicknesses, capturing quick observations in the moment. As an intuitive illustrator, I create based on how I feel at any given time, which is why my visual outcomes can range from loose and spontaneous to more refined and detailed.
I don’t adhere to the traditional constraints or expectations of fashion illustration. To me, fashion illustration is akin to dressing up and experimenting with clothes—there’s a freedom and a sense of play in it that I embrace fully!
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